Reviewer's Choice

You love the person, but can you love the culture? "Your Intercultural Marriage: A Guide to a
Healthy, Happy Relationship" discusses marriages across the cultural divide and discusses the
conflicts that may arise from everything from the wedding to raising the children, family
expectations, to even possible bedroom problems. With a Christian viewpoint, "Your
Intercultural Marriage" offers sage wisdom that is worth considering for those in love with
someone not like them.

Knowledgeably compiled and deftly edited by the team of Simon Schaffer, Lissa Roberts, Kapil
Raj, and James Delbourgo, "The Brokered World: Go-Betweens and Global Intelligence,
1770-1820" is an impressively informative anthology of scholarly essays by a diversity of learned
authors analyzing forms of knowledge production (from anatomy, chemistry, and natural history
to chronology, philology, jurisprudence, astronomy, survey science, and engineering) during the
keynote historical period the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Of particular focus is how, in an
era when travel was much more laborious, agents of communication managed to spread
information that would ultimately change existing political, scientific, and economic networks.
Individual essays include "Frontier Tales: Tokugawa Japan in Translation", "Self Preservation:
French Travels between Cuisine and Industrie", "Boundary-crossings, Cultural Encounters and
Knowledge Spaces in Early Australia", and much more. An extensive bibliography and index
round out this well-thought, invaluable contribution to gestalt world history shelves, particularly
those of college libraries.

There are few consoling or celebratory pleasures in life to equal a glass of really good whiskey.
For the connoisseur (and those who aspire to such a level of expertise), there is now "World
Whiskey: A Nation-by-Nation Guide to the Best", a superbly organized and encyclopedically
detailed reference compendium showcasing more than 700 whiskies, revealing insider
information on distillery secrets, and providing extensive information on distillery tours.
Profusely and beautifully illustrated throughout with color photography, "World Whiskey" covers
whiskey festivals, tasting rooms, and whiskey-centric bars. Of special value for the novice is the
opening articles on the making of whiskey, identification of the diverse types of whiskey, and the
fundamental principles of appreciating whiskey. Enhanced with a glossary, an extensive listing of
references, and section for 'Your Tasting Notes', "World Whiskey" is a highly recommended
addition for personal reading lists and community library reference collections.

Now in an updated and expanded second edition, "After Effects Apprentice: Real-World Skills
For The Aspiring Motion Graphics Artist" continues to be an ideal introductory and instructional
manual for the novice motion graphics artist seeking to produce professional quality work.
Incorporating twelve lessons updated for CS4, "After Effects Apprentice" is profusely enhanced
with screen shots, Guided Tour video training movies, and project files updated for After Effects
CS4, as well as being integrated with other germane Adobe applications. Readers will learn how
to animate, edit, layer, and composite both video and still images; manipulate keyframes; utilize
masks, mattes, stencils and blending modes; create and animate shape layers and text; create
special effects, and so much more. A superbly written, organized, detailed, comprehensive, and
presented instruction manual, "After Effects Apprentice" is highly recommended for beginners
and has a great deal of enduring value to offer even the more experienced motion graphics
artist.

The Military Shelf

A Spy's Diary of World War II: Inside the OSS with an American Agent in Europe is the wartime
diary of OSS officer Wayne Nelson, who served in North Africa and Europe during world War
II. His vision disability kept him out of the navy, and so he served as a spy; his diary succinctly
and powerfully captures the heart-tugging tension of his dangerous tasks. He earned a Bronze
Star and France's Croix de Guerre for his service; now his journal of those difficult days makes
for compelling reading and a vivid firsthand glimpse into the war that would determine the fate
of the world. Highly recommended.

Decorated Vietnam veteran Gary Kulik presents "War Stories": False Atrocity Tales, Swift
Boaters, and Winter Soldiers - What Really Happened in Vietnam, an accounting of popular
myths specifically connected to the Vietnam war in general, and the experience of Vietnam
veterans in particular. Kulik does not seek to dismiss, deny or minimize American war crimes in
Vietnam - rather, his purpose is to expose false war crime stories, so that the stories that are true
can be more accurately regarded and remembered. Of special note is the discussion of Swift Boat
Veterans and the "Truth" they propagated specifically to derail Kerry's presidential ambitions.
With the prospect of more false stories of American war crimes in Iraq or Afghanistan (and their
risk of obfuscating true stories of American misconduct), "War Stories" is extraordinarily timely
and highly recommended.

The Fiction Shelf

Berlin is a city that was never the same one decade to the next throughout the twentieth century.
"Berlin Tales" is a collection of short stories from Germany, expertly translated by Lyn Marven
from the original German. Through fiction, these writers present a vivid picture of the ever
changing face of Berlin, and give readers an appreciation for this dauntless city. "Berlin Tales" is
poignant, and highly recommended.

Fiction novels have a long history of dealing with real-life issues in ways often more effective
than any textbook presentation. Author Luke Lively clearly draws upon his more than
twenty-five years of professional experience in the banking industry to write "A Questionable
Life", a compelling novel that introduced Philadelphia banker Jack Oliver, a man who built his
career on making hard choices and pragmatic sacrifices. When his mid-sized banking group is
acquired by a financial industry mega-chain, all his career goals and progress are cut out from
under him as he finds himself relegated from the heights of success to the lowest rung of the
newly reorganized corporate bank. This disaster bank merger lands Jack in the hospital from
stress, reveals that he has pretty much failed as a husband and father, and that his mistress valued
him only for his formerly high status income. When the opportunity of starting over again in a
small Virginia bank is afforded him, it may prove to be his way out of the arrogance of his
former life-style and into a new chance to redeem himself, his family, and his future. A superbly
written and riveting good read, "A Questionable Life" is a first rate, highly recommended novel
laced with echos of the kinds of moral and ethical dilemmas that nearly wrecked the American
financial system not so long ago.

When she lands a prime job of entertainment manager for the Silver Pines Casino at Lake Tahoe,
Maggie McGuire feels she's truly got it made! But it's not long before she learns that she's the
target of a stalker, one who is increasingly dangerous and cannot be avoided... "Maggie's Way" is
a highly recommended page-turner suspense thriller and the stuff of which block-buster movies
are made. Jessie Fallon is a gifted storyteller who will leave her readers looking eagerly toward
her next book. Also highly recommended for those readers who would benefit from a large print
format is the large print edition of "Maggie's Way" (9781581240276, $14.99).

Fairy tales were never intended to be restricted to an audience of children. Indeed, most
traditional fairytales had to be 'cleaned up' or 'disneyfied' in order to be made palatable for young
ears. That's why the compilation of adult-oriented fairytales that comprise Mitzi Szereto's "In
Sleeping Beauty's Bed" is such a treat for grown-ups. Restored to their erotic originality are
fifteen stories that range from Chinese myths, to Japanese folklore, to European standards from
Prince Charming's shoe fetish, to the real story why Little Red Riding Hood's grandmother had a
wolf in her bed! Of special note is the succinct introduction to each separate fairytale, noting its
history and the context of the sexual culture in which it originated. Superbly written, organized,
and presented, "In Sleeping Beauty's Bed" is for an adult readership, and highly recommended
reading from cover to cover.

An outlaw on the run, Sonny Tabor is a young man who is both good with a gun and accused of
using it for murder. But he's only used his considerable skills as a gunfighter in self defense as
revealed in the pages of "Desert Justice", an anthology of four short stories in which he is
captured and faces hanging, is mistaken for a lawman by a gang of black-shirted outlaws,
abandoned and left to die in the Arizona desert handcuffed to an Arizona Ranger, and then break
out of jail to find the man guilty of the killing for which he is unjustly accused. A riveting good
read, published in a large print format, and offered in library edition for an extended shelf life,
"Desert Justice" by Paul S. Powers is especially recommended for community library Western
Fiction collections.

Lies are commonly condemned, but they can make good stories nonetheless. "The Apple" is a
novel based on the fabricated story of Herman Rosenblat, a Holocaust survivor whose story is
criticized for being fabricated. Dramaticizing his tale, Penelope J. Holt takes an idea that warmed
the hearts of millions and crafts a solid novel. "The Apple" is an intriguing and riveting, if sad
tale of survival through atrocity.

Establishing oneself a successful business person is easy, but romance is something else. "The
Man in the Wooden Hat" is a follow up to the celebrated Old Filth novel, following Edward
Feathers as he tries to get himself an English wife in Betty. A story that is wide in scope and has
many memorable characters, "The Man in the Wooden Hat" is a fine piece of literary fiction that
will resonate with readers.

Old legends have their roots in reality. "Isis: A Tale of the Supernatural" tells the story of one Iris
Catherine Villiers, and how she gained the ability to speak to the dead, an ability that rocks her
world and changes the course of her life. Bone chilling and entrancing reading, Douglas Clegg
makes quite the adventure that blends fantasy and horror well, making for a story that's hard to
put down. "Isis" is not a story to be ignored for original fiction fans.

The American History Shelf

It's hard to believe than only a century ago, women were considered the same as felons when it
came to voting rights - in which they had none. "Women's Votes, Women's Voices: The
Campaign for Equal Rights in Washington" details on battle in the National War for Women's
suffrage that raged on during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. At the complete
mercy of the men in power, these women had little voting power to bargain with, but through
rational arguments and other tactics that brought about democratic enlightenment. "Women's
Votes, Women's Voices" is a must for any collection detailing women's suffrage and its
history.

The past few decades have been chaotic for gay and lesbian rights. "Waiting to Land: A Mostly
Political Memoir, 1985-2008" is the reflections of Martin Duberman, primarily on his work to
advance the rights of Gays and lesbians around the world since 1985. Despite it being only a little
over two decades ago, the world's perceptions of homosexuality has radically changed, and in
some cases, stayed the same. "Waiting to Land" is a must read for anyone seeking an informed
and informative history of the gay movement for political equal rights in America.

Montana Women Homesteaders: A Field of One's Own is an anthology of testimonies and
vintage black-and-white photographs following single women who filed on 160 or 320-acre
homestead plots in Montana. Some were single; others were widowed, divorced, or deserted;
some had children; and they varied in age, educational level, and ethnic background. Some were
ultimately more (or less) successful than others, particularly as the Great Depression closed in.
Yet all of them tested themselves on the land and contributed to Montana's rich history. An
absorbing, often deeply personal account in the words of women determined to make it on their
own, highly recommended.

Bud Hannings is an expert in the field of American military history who draws upon his many
years of experience, expertise, and research for "American Revolutionary War Leaders: A
Biographical Dictionary", a 558-page compendium of informed and informative descriptions of
the men who were essential in the fledgling nation's struggle for emancipation from England and
who faced overwhelming military opposition in doing so. Covering not only the more famous
and well known figures, "American Revolutionary War Leaders" provides succinct bibliographic
profiles of ordinary but critically important soldiers, plantation owners, farmers, politicians,
espionage agents. Figures are drown from the ranks of the Navy and Marines, the Continental
Army, state militias, diplomats, governors, and others. Of special note are the biographical
sketches of the women who made significant contributions to the war. Comprehensive and
definitive, "American Revolutionary War Leaders" is an impressive body of scholarship and a
seminal contribution that will prove to be a core acquisition for professional, academic, and
community library American History reference collections in general, and American
Revolutionary War supplemental reading lists in particular. Also highly recommended for
American Military History collections are three of Bud Hannings previous works published by
McFarland & Company: "Chronology of the American Revolution" (9780786429486, $125.00),
"The Korean War: An Exhaustive Chronology" (9780786428144, $245.00), and "Forts of the
United States: An Historical Dictionary, 16th Through 19th Centuries" (9780786417964,
$125.00).

The Education Shelf

Some skills are absolutely necessary. "Seven Skills for School Success: Activities to Develop
Social & Emotional Intelligence in Young Children" is a unique approach to education, saying
that the most important thing for a child to learn is not a truly academic subject at all, but instead
seven emotional and social skills that will prepare a child for the other tasks. Confidence,
empathy, willpower, and more, "Seven Skills for School Success" comes to teachers to better
help them mentor their students in what is really important.

Communicating through writing is one of the key lessons that must be learned throughout a
child's school years. "Non-Fiction Text Structures for Better Comprehension and Response" is an
teacher's aide for teaching students in the later elementary through middle school grades. With
quick reference to the non-fiction text structures, ideas for activities and combating common
problems, "Non-Fiction Text Structures" is an English teacher's best friend for the subject and
should be strongly considered.

Originally bastions of state support and aristocratic sponsorship, European institutions of higher
learning face market-based forces of competition in recruiting faculty and students that have
compelled inexorably transformative adaptations, innovations, and evolutions in their structural
complexities. "Learning to Compete in European Universities: From Social Institution to
Knowledge Business" is a compilation of informed and informative articles and essays on how
and why changes are occurring in European university systems as they adapt to compete with
each other as they evolve from government-funded social institutions to capitalism-based
'knowledge business' models. Deftly edited by the team of Maureen McKelvey (Professor,
Industrial Management, School of Business, Economics and Law, University of Gothenburg,
Sweden) and Magnus Holmen (Associate Professor, Department of Technology Management and
Economics, Chalmers University of Technology, Sweden), "Learning To Compete In European
Universities" is enhanced with the inclusion of numerous tables and figures and a comprehensive
index, making it a seminal work of scholarship and a strongly recommended addition to
academic library Educational Studies reference collections and supplemental reading lists.

The academic concept known as 'life long learning' is a form of adult education that encourages a
continual involvement in formally and informally pursued studies that can be either specific goal
oriented (such as qualifying for an advanced degree) or as part of a generalized philosophy for
continuous and continuing self-improvement through the acquisition of information or a better
understanding of a particular academic discipline for its own intrinsic sake. In "Studies in
Lifelong Learning in Africa: From Ethnic Traditions to Technological", academicians Maurice N.
Amutabi (Assistant Professor of History, Central Washington University) and Moses O. Oketch
(Senior Lecturer, Institute of Education, University of London) have compiled an impressive and
seminal collection of contributions surveying and analyzing the concept and practice of 'life long
learning' in various African nations. Particular attention is given to a variety of particularly
African issues and cultural influences on the availability, forms, and forums of adult education.
Enhanced with the addition of an extensive bibliography and a comprehensive index, "Studies in
Lifelong Learning in Africa: From Ethnic Traditions to Technological" is an informed and
informative contribution that is especially recommended for academic library International
Education Philosophy and African Cultural Studies reference collections and supplemental
reading lists.

The Hobby Shelf

The model airplane is a hobby in which isn't just for kids anymore. "Building and Detailing
Model Aircraft" is an introductory guide for those who want to enter the world of model aircraft
construction. With plenty of advice on making one's model more realistic as well as the minor
details that often leave people baffled in how to improve the quality of their work, Pat Hawkey
brings his love of the hobby and offers much advice. "Building and Detailing Model Aircraft' is
an absolute must for any trying to get into the hobby or improve their skill.

The Business Shelf

So much to do, no idea how to do it. "Manage Your Project Portfolio: Increase Your Capacity
and Finish More Projects" is a business guide aimed at helping managers figure out what is truly
important for their business and to encourage them to strong emphasize the important projects
over the more dead end ones. Giving advice to figure out the difference between the two and how
to make something that's gold even brighter, "Manage Your Project Portfolio" is a strongly
recommended read for any business that has to budget time - which is almost all of them.

Information is the basis for economic activity. Corporations hold information in a variety of
forms ranging from patents to demographics. In this modern age of the internet, companies must
take special care to keep their proprietary information secure from theft and corruption if they are
to remain viability competitive in today's volatile and global marketplace. That's why "Harboring
Data: Information Security, Law, and the Corporation" is such a timely and essential
compendium of informed and informative contributions on corporate information security and
protecting it within the framework of corporate law, policies and practices as the invaluable
corporate asset that it is. Knowledgeably compiled and deftly edited by Andrea M. Matwyshyn
(Assistant Professor of Legal Studies and Business Ethics, The Wharton School, University of
Pennsylvania), "Harboring Data: Information Security, Law, and the Corporation" provides a
series of thoughtful and thought-provoking contributions by experts and academicians on the
nature of information; U.S. corporate security regulations and security issues germane to health
care data, financial data, and children's data; information security within a legal framework that
includes software licensing and social networking. Enhanced with copious notes, an extensive
bibliography, and a comprehensive index, "Harboring Data: Information Security, Law, and the
Corporation" is an essential and core addition to Business School and Law School reference
libraries, as well as critically important reading for anyone charged with the security of their
company's informational assets.

With the invention of digital photography, the era of cameras requiring film cartridges came to a
close, a casualty of the progress of technology. Now there is "101 Quick And Easy Secrets For
Using Your Digital Photographs" by digital photography expert Matthew Bamberg. This is a
208-page, thoroughly 'user friendly', informed and informative instruction manual for making the
most out of digital photographs in terms of taking them, manipulating and managing the images,
publishing and sharing those images, and utilizing free downloadable software programs, free
online web sites resources, and so much more. From selecting the right paper for hard copy
prints, to selecting the best tools, to organizing a pictorial portfolio, "101 Quick And Easy
Secrets For Using Your Digital Photographs" is an ideal choice for the novice, and has a great
deal of enduring value for the more experienced digital photographer as well, making it a highly
recommended addition to personal, professional, and community library photography reference
collections.

A unique river brings together unique people. "Miramichi: River of Character" is a combination
book of photography and cultural snap shot of the Miramichi River, a major River in New
Brunswick, and the people around the river who call it home. A fascinating look at these
dauntless people whose development was shaped by the unique river with multiple points of
origin, "Miramichi: River of Character" is a fine book of photography for anyone who wants to
better understand how people do things differently around the world.

Horses in Living Color is an astonishingly beautiful coffee-table book of full color photography
capturing all manner of equines at their finest. Some images have brief text captions; others
simply speak for themselves. From show horses to work horses to wild horses, a vast diversity of
breeds are portrayed; all are vividly beautiful. Some of the most striking photographs portray
horses in mid-gallop, but others show them browsing among wild flowers, displaying their
regalia in a show, or simply doing an honest day's work. Horses in Living Color truly lives up to
its title, and is an exquisite gift book for anyone who fancies these intelligent and energetic
creatures. Highly recommended.

When the subject of cattle ranching and cowboys comes up, it's usually within the context of the
American West. What is not readily evident to most people is that working cattle ranches are a
significant factor in Florida's economic well-being and that every day contemporary Floridian
cowboys saddle up their horses or fire up their trucks and ride out to care for their herds on over
15,000 ranches where are to be found almost two million head of cattle - representing the
unbroken continuation of one of the longest histories of cattle ranching found anywhere in
America. Now that legacy in its contemporary setting has been superbly captured on film by
Floridian photojournalist Carlton Ward Jr. And published in full color with informative captions
as "Florida Cowboys: Keepers of the Last Frontier", a 256-page compendium of memorable
images in celebration of Florida cowboys, and all the aspects of who they are and their enduring
way of life. Enhanced with the inclusion of twenty informed and informative essays, "Florida
Cowboys: Keepers of the Last Frontier" is a highly recommended addition to personal,
community, and academic library Regional American History reference collections in general,
and Florida History supplemental reading lists in particular.

From the invention of the photographic process, down to the present day, New York based
photographers have been at the forefront of professional photography in all its diverse categories
ranging from portraiture to journalistic to visual art. Now in "100 New York Photographers",
Cynthia Maris Dantzic (Professor of Art, Long Island University, New York) has compiled a
superbly illustrated, informed and informative history of significant New York photographers
whose professional contributions over the past seven decades begin with Rebecca Lepkoff's 1937
Lower East Side 'slice of life' images, to Lucian Read's 2008 Baghdad war photos. In addition to
an impressive roster of iconic men and women ranging form Annie Leibovitz and David Gahr,
"100 New York Photographers" also showcases a host of lesser known but impressively talented
photographers. Of special note are note only the images showcased, but experimental, digital,
and film techniques that have been employed in the service of 'the perfect picture'. "100 New
York Photographers" is superbly organized and presented, making it a clear and enthusiastically
recommended addition to personal, professional, academic, and community library photography
reference collections.

There is more to taking a picture of a swimsuit model or a beautiful girl in a negligee that just
clicking the camera. Glamour photography is a special kind of photography that professional
photographers Jack Watson and Andy McFarland have long mastered. Enhanced with an
accompany instructional DVD, "Beyond The Glamour Photograph: How to Get Started and Be
Successful as a Boudoir, Glamour, and Swimsuit Photographer" is an ideal and profusely
illustrated instruction manual that covers more than just the mechanics of taking a good shot, but
also provides insider explanations of the glamour photography industry from recruiting models to
selling the photos. From wardrobe considerations, to make-up artists and hair stylists, to legal
issues, to operating on limited budgets, "Beyond The Glamour Photograph" fully covers all
aspects of the glamour photography business. A thoroughly 'user friendly' instruction manual,
"Beyond The Glamour Photograph" is an essential reference for anyone aspiring to make a career
in this specialized field of photography.

Expression is not bound by rules and ignoring these rules is a way of life for some. "Road Show:
Art Cars and the Museum of the Streets" is a unique book discussing cars and how they have
become a medium of artistic expression all their own. Discussing the history of the automobile
and its evolution, authors Eric Dregni & Ruthann Godollei provide much in the way of intriguing
thoughts and show many examples of people using their vehicle to say their message. "Road
Show" is a must for those who have a shared appreciation for the automobile and modern
art.

The Art Shelf

America has a long and distinguished history of notable marine art and artists such as James
Buttersworth, Robert Salmon, and Fitz Henry Lane, whose special genius was to put down on
canvas truly memorable representations of such marine themes as the sailing ships and yachts
that plied oceanic waters. Often some of the best of these paintings have not been readily
accessible to the general public. Now a compendium of those marvelous paintings have been
compiled in "Flying The Colors: The Unseen Treasures Of Nineteenth-Century American Marine
Art" by the team of Alan Granby and Janice Hyland. Beautiful images flawless reproduced in full
color are enhanced with an informative essay by Stuart M. Frank. Readers are also provided with
succinct biographical descriptions of the artists whose works are represented. The result is a
coffee-table art book that is a pure delight to browse through and which is unrestrainedly
recommended for personal, academic, and community library American Art History reference
collections.

Professional graphics are a key to a good presentation. "The Book of Inkscape: The Definitive
Guide to the Free Graphics Editor" is the manual that the program does not have, giving a
complete and comprehensive computer lesson in better understanding this famed graphics
program which is as capable as any professional program worth hundreds of dollars. Covering
the many steps of the artistic process to turn one's scribbling into professional art work, worthy of
million dollar corporations. "The Book of Inkscape" is an absolute must for anyone trying to
master the program for professional use.

In "The Artist's Eyes: Vision and the History of Art", Michael Marmor (a professor on the faculty
of the Stanford School of Medicine and an acknowledged expert in retinal physiology and
disease) has teamed up with opthamologist James Ravin to produce a unique approach and
perspective on the role of vision and eye disease in the creation of art and the perceptions of the
artists. Examining art history through the framework of the biology of human vision, "The
Artist's Eyes" is organized into informed and informative chapters dealing with the eye as an
optical instrument, coding and contrast, color and its limitations, perspective and illusion, the
'aging eye', external eye disease, as well as cataract and glaucoma, retinal disease. Of special note
is the concluding chapter 'The Artist's View' focusing upon the work of Degas and Monet with
respect to stimulating vision. Enhanced with an extensive bibliography and a comprehensive
index, "The Artist's Eyes" is profusely illustrated with 175 full-color illustrations. The result is a
welcome and enthusiastically recommended addition to academic and community Art History
reference collections, as well as supplemental reading lists for art students and non-specialist
general readers with an interest in art, artists, and art history.

A Colorado artist and sculptor who studied in Italy and the United States, Jefferson D. Rubin
went on to found and direct the La Scuola Classical Sculpture School in Denver. His work is
prized by private collectors and has been on display in numerous museums and galleries both at
home and abroad. His life and career ended at the age of 36, the result of a mountain accident in
1995. That was when the "Jefferson D. Rubin Memorial Fund" was established to promote and
perpetuate the concept of idealism with respect to the human form in classic and contemporary
sculpture with which he was so closely associated. His work and his contributions are showcased
in "Frammenti Della Vita: The Art and Writings of Jefferson D. Rubin", a 143-page compendium
featuring 75 color plates and enhanced with an informative introduction by Marian Granfield, as
well as a personal anecdotal reminisce by Marcello Giorgi, a colleague whose very close
friendship with Rubin began in Italy and continued when he accepted a post teaching
mold-making at Rubin's Denver based school of sculpture. "Frammenti Della Vita: The Art and
Writings of Jefferson D. Rubin" is a very strongly recommended and core addition to personal,
professional, academic, and community library 20th Century American Art history reference
collections and supplemental reading lists.

The Health/Medicine Shelf

'Differently abled', children with Down Syndrome can still provide a positive impact on the
world. "Gifts 2: How People with Down Syndrome Enrich the World" is a collection of essays
from family, friends, educators, and more about how they have become better people as a whole
through their interactions with people with Down Syndrome. An uplifting read for parents, "Gifts
2" is a solid and recommended read for any who doubt the abilities of those with Down
Syndrome to impact the world.

The successful practice of medicine requires more than a body of knowledge, it also requires a
code of conduct. That's why "Professionalism In Medicine: A Case-Based Guide For Medical
Students" should be a core component of all medical school curriculums. Compiled and edited by
the team of John Spandorfer (Associate Professor of Medicine, Jefferson Medical College),
Charles A. Pohl (Professor of Pediatrics, Jefferson Medical College), Susan L. Rattner (Professor
Medicine and Family and Community Medicine, Jefferson Medical College), and Thomas J.
Nasca (Professor of Medicine and Chief Executive Officer of the Accreditation Council for
Graduate Medicine (Jefferson Medical College), "Professionalism In Medicine" is a compilation
of seventy-two illustrative cases helping the reader appreciate and benefit from real-life
professional dilemmas commonly encountered by medical students and practicing physicians in a
variety of medical specialties. The contributors are drawn from forty-six medical schools and
institutions and include physicians, pharmacists, nurses, psychologists, medical social workers,
health care administrators, and patient advocates. A superbly organized and expertly presented
body of commentary that is as thoughtful and it is thought-provoking, "Professionalism In
Medicine" is an essential addition to personal, professional, medical school, and academic library
Health & Medicine reference collections.

The Judaic Studies Shelf

Culture barriers stop many people from doing many things. "Yom Kippur in Amsterdam" is a
collection of short stories from Maxim D. Shrayer, his collection focusing on culture clash and
the people who dare to try to overcome it. With simple prose and fascinating characters, and a
positive message, "Yom Kippur in Amsterdam" is a fine collection of short stories which does
not deserve to be ignored.

For most of human history, Jews found themselves being exiled after being exiled. "Everywhere
a Guest, Nowhere at Home" tells the story of how modern Israel, centuries after being people
exiled from place to place may be forcing Palestinians into predicaments that are not dissimilar to
their own. An honest and up-front discussion of the impacts of Zionism, "Everywhere a Guest,
Nowhere at Home" is a fine guide to knowing the roots of the Israeli/Palestinian conflicts.

The Poetry Shelf

Everything matters to someone, someway. "A Tiara for the Twentieth Century"is a collection of
poems from Suzanne Richardson Harvey discussing womanhood and its unique challenges and
many roles. With simple and profound wisdom resonating through the verse, "A Tiara for the
Twentieth Century" is a top pick for poetry collections. "Favorite Son": You are an antenna finely
tuned/A fisherman/whose hook is baited/To capture the flame of an evening smile/You are a
chisel sharply honed/To excavate a dream of love/Etched in the heart/You are a touchstone/To
you the magic of silence speaks.

One Hundred Small Yellow Envelopes is a poetry chapbook by prize-winning poet and literature
teacher James Crews, offering an eclectic diversity of brief, free-verse poems ranging in format
from free verse to stream-of-consciousness. The longing of lost love is a recurring theme in these
often heartrending and thought-provoking moments of consciousness preserved in literary form.
"One Hundred Small Yellow Envelopes": Tonight was your last wish / I used a teaspoon to scoop
you / into each of the yellow envelopes / you chose and addressed to our friends. // I worked all
night, watched what everyone / insists on calling your remains / fall into the mouths of the
envelopes, / some of the ash as fine as sugar, / other bits as coarse as salt. // I don't know what to
do / with the one marked, Felix. / I want to rip it open / like a packet of instant drink mix: // Pour
into your favorite cup / your lover's ashes. Add hot water, / stir until the cup is as warm / as his
skin once was against yours. // Sip slowly, this simple solution.

Free Cell is the latest collection of free-verse poetry from writing instructor and dedicated poet
Anselm Berrigan. The words themselves revel in the freedom to assume any shape in this
smoothly rolling collection of musings and insights. The natural flow of the verbal rhythm serves
as the perfect counterpoint to the thought-provoking commentary in this excellent collection.
"Frailty puckers up to present": Frailty puckers up to present / gibberish in the agri-fab /
spamways, helicopter can't / swim, can't junk tribal / penance for living off natty / whims so
many pairs of / pants deny in fever's dash. // The routine bites hard, ooze / a rapt factory heir
teething / sway, ye olde time cleaners / spun off a granted project / of abeyance in the deep / trim
that art savors, bent- / like, creaming dabbles."

It's said that all artistic expression can call its roots from love. "Poems of Love" is the second
collection of poetry from Leikny Annadotter Bjorkli, focusing on the bond between man and
woman that has driven society through the ages. With a mix of sensuality and fresh verse,
"Poems of Love" is an intriguing and highly recommended read. "Within the Port of Heaven": To
be embraced by him.../Strong, sensual, masculine, intelligent, clever -//As being inside/The port
of Heaven/Melted together/With head, heart, soul/And gender.../Like Eve and Adam/In the
Garden of Eden...

The Jobs/Careers Shelf

A wise man does not dwell in the past. "Make Job Loss Work for You: Get Over It and Get Your
Career Back on Track" is a guide for the recently unemployed who want to recover from their
sudden loss and best get to the next step in their career. With advice on conquering emotions and
looking on the positive side of it all, Richard & Terri Deems go far and above giving sage advice
on overcoming temporary unemployment. "Make Job Loss Work for You" is a must for those
who want unemployment to only be a transition.

The Dance Shelf

As long as humanity has had music, they have had dance. "Appreciating Dance: A guide to the
World's Liveliest Art" serves as a scholarly introductory primer to give people the information
they need to know to truly appreciate this ancient form of expression. With a focus on modern
dance and the people who have made dance what it is, it does well in covering the wide scope of
dance making for an intriguing read for anyone who wants to better understand modern dance.
"Appreciating Dance" executes its goal incredibly well, highly recommended.

The Mystery/Suspense Shelf

It's tough trying to clear your name. Especially when you're dead. "Ghost Ala Mode: A Ghost of Granny Apples Mystery" is the story of a Ghost of a Grandmother and her great great great granddaughter Emma, as they try to put to rest the claim that Granny Apples murdered her husband all those years ago. Tortured by her unjust rap, Granny Apples only wants her name to be cleared, and the Ghost's desire makes for an intriguing and highly original mystery.

Now available in paperback, A Night in the Cemetery and Other Stories of Crime and Suspense
collects the classic crime and suspense stories of literary genius Anton Chekhov. Originally
published in periodicals and literary journals from 1880-1890, and now expertly translated into
English by Peter Sekirin, A Night in the Cemetery and Other Stories of Crime and Suspense is
seasoned with Chekhov's characteristic dark humor, twists of cause and effect, and shocking
moments of revelation. Many of the stories are brief, but all warrant a close reading - A Night in
the Cemetery and Other Stories is an absolute "must-have" for mystery and suspense fans of all
walks of life, and a superb addition to public library collections.

Captain "Hell Roaring" Mike Healy: From American Slave to Arctic Hero is the true-life story of
Michael A. Healy (1839-1904), a captain with the U.S. Revenue Cutter Service (a precursor to
today's Coast Guard). Born a slave in Georgia, he ran away to sea at age fifteen, and spent the
rest of his life passing for a white man, a fact that the U.S. Coast Guard did not learn until 1971.
During his years of service, Healy enforced the law, stopped mutinies aboard merchant ships,
battled illegal liquor and firearm smuggling, and rescued shipwrecked sailors. In 1896 he was
brought to trial on multiple charges, and his punishment was to be put ashore on half pay with no
command and dropped to the bottom of the Captain's list - yet he earned his way back to his
former high position in the service by the time of his death in 1904. An extraordinary tale of a
nautical prodigy, Captain "Hell Roaring" Mike Healy is enthusiastically recommended to lay
readers, naval historians, and public library collections.

New challenges in life are there to be met. "Itchy Brown Girl Seeks Employment" is a memoir of
Ella deCastro Baron, a woman of Filipino descent who is faced with the real world. With much
charm in her stories which will give readers very much to relate to, there is a certain profound
nature in the memoir that will ring loudly true. "Itchy Brown Girl Seeks Employment" is a fine
addition to any collection focusing on personal memoirs.

From the Back of the House: Memories of a Steak House Clan is more than a memoir - it's the
story of "Jim's Steak House" of Ohio's Cleveland Flats, well known as one of the most
high-quality, top-class places to go for anniversaries, weddings, birthdays, graduations,
celebratory dinners and more. Author Gary L. Rockey begins with the story of how Greek
emigrant James Kerkles founded the restaurant in 1930, then goes on to tell how he was adopted
into Jim's family at the age of ten. Taken in by veteran restaurateur Raymond Rockey, young G.
L. Rockey saw the business of good food and good service in action. He offers an eclectic variety
of tales from the restaurant's flourishing years, ranging in tone from joyful to poignant. From the
Back of the House is also a glimpse into the culture and personalities of a bygone era, rounded
out with scrapbook photographs, newspaper reviews, magazine articles, and menus from Jim's
Steak House. An engaging and vivid remembrance of the highs and lows of daily life in "the
hospitality business", highly recommended.

Paranoia can have more effects than just on the paranoid. "The Eleventh Hour Can't Last
Forever"I s a memoir of Alison Johnson remembering her time growing up under a somewhat off
kilter Father who always believed Armageddon was around the corner and the fear of disaster
lead him to leave a lasting negative impact on his family. An unusual but intriguing story, "The
Eleventh Hour Can't Last Forever" is quite the read and is highly recommended for fans of
personal memoirs.

What's it like growing up under the rule of a man whose name who has become synonymous
with evil? "Auf Wiedersehen: World War II Through the Eyes of a German Girl" tells the story of
growing up as a young girl during Hitler's Nazi regime. Giving a glimpse of the life of the
average German person during this time period and how Germany's defeat radically changed her
life, "Auf Wiedersehen" is a unique read about a perspective so often vilified in history.

One of the most celebrated pens in America, Gerald Stern has much on his mind. "What I Can't
Bear Losing" is a collection of wise essays from Gerald Stern, with a large assortment of essays
reflecting on his long and experienced life, on everything from his family and his faith to
romance and his encounters with other notable figures of the twentieth century. "What I Can't
Bear Losing" is an enlightening and scholarly read.

The Christian Studies Shelf

Life changes, but Christianity seems slow to change with it. "NuChristian: Finding Faith in a
New Generation" is a guide for those who want to hold onto their faith but find it hard as the
staunch traditionalism of the church seems to be at ends with them and making their life appear
to be very difficult. With fresh philosophy and new ideas to stay true to Christ and one's beliefs,
"NuChristian" is a read worth considering for a new generation.

Small churches require special touches that larger ones don't have to deal with. "Developing Leaders for the Small Church: A Guide to Spiritual Transformation for the Church Board" is an analysis of church leadership at the small church level, where there is a more personal element involved between a pastor and his congregation. The advice a new pastor needs resides in "Developing Leaders for the Small Church", highly recommended.

A libertarian, a feminist, and an agnostic, Kitty Foth-Regner gave no thought to questions of life
after death or the Christian gospel - until her mother became terminally ill. Her mother was a
woman of faith and this crises provided the catalyst and motivation Kitty needed to awaken to
such issues as heaven, the assertions and promises of Biblical scripture, and more. A journey of spiritual awakening, Kitty's personal story is recorded in engaging detail in
"Heaven Without Her: A Desperate Daughter's Search for the Heart of Her Mother's Faith".
Inspired and inspiring, "Heaven Without Her" is highly recommended reading, especially for
anyone who must confront similar challenges within the context of their own lives or the lives of
loved ones.

The Self-Help Shelf

A successful man does not give up as obstacles, but instead turns tragedy into triumph. "Three
Feet From Gold: Turn Your Obstacles Into Opportunities" is a follow up to Napoleon Hill's
Think and Grow Rich, offering much wisdom that will stack on top of that book's lessons.
Encouraging people not to give up when things look their worst, and to push themselves further,
"Three Feet from Gold" is a vitalizing and inspiring read that should not be overlooked for those
who want to improve their successes in life.

The Metaphysical Studies Shelf

The tricksters still walk among us, but hide under many different names. "Stalking the Tricksters:
Shapeshifters, Skinwalkers, Dark Adepts, and 2012" discusses many elements of the
metaphysical throughout the twenty first century. Discussing these mysteries that go by a whole
assortment of names, "Stalking the Tricksters" is a fine and informative read to those who
believe there is more to the world around them than what the mundane eye will see.

Animals have always had traits connected to them, and people have drawn inspiration from those
traits. "Power Animals: How to Connect with Your Animal Spirit Guide" is a guide to finding an
animal one can link themselves with and finding motivation in that one can use in their everyday
lives from that animal. A profoundly spiritual guide that encourages people to find the traits they
have and how to emphasize them, "Power Animals: How to Connect With Your Animal Spirit
Guide" is an intriguing and inspiring read that should not be ignored.

The two-term administration of George W. Bush was fraught with controversy from its
beginning, and those controversies continue down to the present day. Elected as a conservative
(and through an electoral process requiring Supreme Court intervention), he engineered the
passage of some of the most expensive social legislation such as the Medicare Prescription Bill,
outraging his conservative constituency. Elected on a 'Family Values' platform, his failure to
carry through with any of the conservative religious agenda items in his party's platform served to
disappoint and alienate that key Republican electoral demographic. Although initially popular in
his response to the attacks of 9/11, his administrations decision to engage in a war with Iraq was
to prove disastrously unpopular with a majority of the American public. The final debacle was
the perceived underestimation and mishandling of the American economic crisis that broke out in
the final months of his administration. Expertly compiled and deftly edited by Steven E. Schier
(Dorothy H. and Edward C. Congdon Professor of Political Science, Carleton College),
"Ambition and Division: Legacies of the George W. Bush Presidency" is an impressive
compendium of contributory commentaries on the history, legitimacy, governance style, foreign
policies, domestic policies, and more. From the role of partisan Republican majorities, to the
Bush Administrations judicial appointments and 'political litmus tests' for public office,
"Ambition And Division" is a superbly informed and informative political survey. Thoughtful
and thought-provoking, "Ambition And Division" is an essential and core addition to academic
library Political Science reference collections in general, and supplemental reading lists specific
to the George W. Bush presidential administration in particular.

The Music Shelf

The Max B. Miller Book Award was created by The American Guild of Organists for the specific
purpose of honoring works of seminal and academic importance in the field of organ literature,
history, and performance. Academician and music historian Rollin Smith has won this
prestigious award for "Louis Vierne: Organist of Notre Dame Cathedral", a comprehensive and
seminal history of Notre-Dame Cathedral organist Louis Vierne (1870-1937) who served in that
capacity for 37 years. A dedicated organist, Vierne was to die still at his console, leaving behind
an impressive legacy of performances and catalogue of organ works. Of special note are the
chapters dedicated to his American tour. Enhanced with informative and insightful contemporary
anecdotal stories by those who worked with him, as well as others who were to be influenced by
him, "Louis Vierne: Organist of Notre Dame Cathedral" is especially recommended as a core
addition to academic library Music History reference collections in general, and the supplemental
reading lists for dedicated students of the organ in particular.

Over the past four centuries of western musical development, the opera came to embody the most
complex presentation by combining visual and auditory elements with storytelling to the point
where, especially in the 19th century, it became the most popular public entertainment Europe
had to offer it citizenry from commoners to the aristocracy. That popularity continued to hold
sway during the 20th Century with radio and television broadening the audience beyond what
opera halls could every hope to achieve. "Opera: Composers, Works, Performance" is a 928-page
compendium showcasing 350 operatic works, 140 opera composers, and places them all within
four hundred years of European cultural history reflecting the evolution and highlights of this
distinctive musical form, forum and format. Impressively enhanced with the inclusion of a
musical terms glossary, musical scores, a comprehensive index, and a profusion of period
photographs and illustrations, "Opera: Composers, Works, Performance" is superbly organized
and alphabetically arranged encyclopedia of detailed information that makes it ideal for opera
buffs and musicologists. Simply stated, "Opera: Composers, Works, Performance" is an absolute
'must' for professional, academic, and community library reference collections.

An icon of American music in the 1960s, Bob Dylan's music has been a culture shaping influence
that continues to be felt to this very day. A poet, a songwriter, and a performer, Bob Dylan's
unique style is distinctive. His personal life has always been somewhat reclusive and always
private, despite his 'superstar' status and his legions of fans. Now Omnibus press has compiled an
impressive biography of Dylan and his work that showcases full sheet music for his most
significant songs, enhanced with photography and anecdotal stories that will have special appeal
to fans of Dylan's songs, both those he's performed himself and those that other musicians have
performed in the course of their careers. Superbly written and presented, "Dylan: 100 Songs &
Pictures" is a 'must' for all Dylan fans, and a very highly recommended addition to academic and
community library 20th Century American Popular Music reference collections and supplemental
reading lists.

The Cookbook Shelf

Featuring vivid, full-color photography on every page, The Illustrated Quick Cook is a solid
guide to cooking at home on a strict time budget. Shortcuts for everyday meals, food for friends,
drinks and much more are covered at length. The many ways to speed up meal preparation range
from better organization of one's cupboard to "batch and freeze" techniques for making large
amounts of food and preserving it, and selecting from recipes ranging from "no-cook" foods to
those that require only a minimum of preparation and cooking. Of special note are the vegetarian
options (vegetarian dinner recipes include such delights as "Chunky ratatouille", "Lemony dal",
and "Zucchini stuffed with raisins, red onion, and pine nuts"). An easy-to-use resource
enthusiastically recommended for anyone who wants to enjoy the benefits of home-cooked food
but has little time to spend - especially parents seeking to feed their children nutritious meals
while balancing that responsibility with a demanding job!

Written and compiled by the team of culinary expert and former chef Lois Sinaiko Webb and
ethnic foods enthusiast Lindsay Grace Roten, "The Multicultural Cookbook For Students" is now
available in a new and expanded edition for the benefit of non-specialist general readers and
aspiring culinary students. Offering hundreds of superbly selected recipes representing every
country and every culture around the globe, "The Multicultural Cookbook For Students" is
superbly organized on a regional basis and offers from one to three recipes each drawn from 150
nations. Of special note are the commentaries on food safety and sanitary kitchen practices. From
cooking terminology to diverse culinary traditions from which individual dishes arise, "The
Multicultural Cookbook For Students" also provides readily available substitutions for the more
exotic ingredients should that prove necessary. With recipes ranging from Algerian Couscous
(Chicken Stew); to Vegetarian Hot Rice Salad; to Teed Kettle (Salmon Hash); to Ful Mesdames
(Brown Fava Beans); to Chicken Fried Steak Texas Style with Cream Gravy; "The Multicultural
Cookbook For Students" will prove a welcome and inspiring addition to any personal,
professional, family, cooking school, or community library cookbook collection!

Whether it's the finishing touch to a great dinner, or a palate-pleasing treat for a celebratory
occasion, there's nothing quite like a terrific home-made dessert. But not all of us are culinary
experts or skilled dessert makers from scratch. That's why "You Made That Dessert?: Create
Fabulous Treats, Even If You Can Barely Boil Water", a 216-page beautifully illustrated
compendium of more than one hundred 'kitchen cook friendly' recipes compiled by Beth Lipton
(a trained pastry chef and the food editor for 'All You' magazine) is such a welcome and highly
recommended addition to personal and family cookbook collections. With recipes ranging from
Mom's Mexican Wedding Cookies; Sour Cream Coffee Cake; and Buttermilk Pie; to Honeyed
Fudge; Ginger-Bourbon Peach Sauce; and Double Chocolate Croissant Bread Budding, "You
Made That Dessert?: Create Fabulous Treats, Even If You Can Barely Boil Water" will enable
even the most novice of kitchen cooks to consistently turn out truly remarkable range of
memorable treats that will satisfy both the eye and the appetite.

While New Orleans is primarily known for its jazz and Mardi Gras celebrations, it is also the
home to a distinctive and popular culinary heritage. Showcasing a very special cuisine, "My New
Orleans: The Cookbook" by Louisiana Chef John Besh combines down home stories drawn from
Besh's own life and love of the city in which he has established four successful New Orleans
restaurants that even Hurricane Katrina could not eradicate from the city's heritage. Profusely and
colorfully illustrated, this outstanding compendium of thoroughly 'kitchen cook friendly' recipes
range from Ragout of Crawfish over Fresh Pasta; Louisiana Shrimp and Andouille over Grits;
Tempura-Fried Squash Blossoms with Crabmeat Stuffing; and Crispy Fried Oyster Salad with
Louisiana Caviar; to Black-Eyed Peas with Louisiana Popcorn Rice; Fall Greens Salad with Blue
cheese and Pumpkin Seed Brittle; Blake's Duck, Green Onion, and Chicken Sausage Gumbo; and
Peach Upside-Down Cake. Of special note is the introduction in which Chef John Besh notes
how he goes about cooking and lays out basic recipes for flavor bases that he often utilizes in
preparing his New Orleans dishes. "My New Orleans: The Cookbook" is an enthusiastically
recommended addition to professional, family, and community library cookbook
collections!

Every dietician notes that the typical modern American fast-food, microwave frozen food
oriented diet is woefully insufficient when it comes to the consumption of fruits and vegetables.
That's why nutrition and health consultant Mary Rydman draws upon her more than twenty years
of professional and personal experience and expertise to compile and publish "Raw Food Quick
& Easy: Over 100 Healthy Recipes Including Smoothies, Seasonal Salads, Dressings, Pates,
Soups, Hearty Creations, Snacks, and Desserts". Each recipe is specifically designed for
time-pressured kitchen cooks who, while not being able to spend extended time in the
preparation of their family meals, nonetheless want to serve family and friends with healthy,
palate pleasing, appetite satisfying fare. More than just a collection of recipes showcasing the
culinary accomplishments to be gleaned from fruits and veggies, "Raw Foods Quick & Easy"
also provides practical and useful information on soaking, sprouting, dehydrating, and storing
raw foods, key tools and ingredients when dealing with raw foods in the kitchen, and even 'user
friendly' advice on increasing vital nutrients through what we eat. Of special note is the chapter
devoted to 'Food and Emotions'. Featuring recipes ranging from Cauliflower Cream Curry;
Vegetable Crackers; and Sesame Fudge Cookies; to Angel Pudding; Tomato Olive Soup; and
Buckwheat Crunchies, "Raw Foods Quick & Easy" is a welcome and highly recommended
addition to vegetarian, family, and community library cookbook collections.

Mike and Isy, members of a volunteer collective called 'Brighton's Anarchist Teapot mobile
kitchen', that travels around the U.K. providing vegan, organic, non-GMO meals at
mass-mobilizations, community festivals, wildcat strikes, and outdoor gatherings and, along with
other Brighton activists, operate the Cowley Club, a collectively-run social center that hosts a
bookstore and vegan cafe, have turned their experience and expertise to compiling a very special
collection of vegan recipes which is now published as "Another Dinner Is Possible: Recipes &
Food for Thought". With a sturdy ring binder that allows the cookbook to be laid out flat on a
kitchen counter or table, "Another Dinner Is Possible" showcases 'kitchen cook friendly' recipes
for vegan soups, side dishes, salads, salsas, sauces, snacks, sweets, and breads. Of special note
are the sections dedicated to Korean dishes and to Preserving. But more than just a cookbook,
"Another Dinner Is Possible" also features informed and informative commentaries on how such
ills of modern civilization as global warming and industrial agriculture affect our food supply;
nutritional issues including the introduction of food to babies and vegan diets for children;
cooking for large groups; wild foods; do-it-yourself brewing; food addictions and eating
disorders; gardening; and more. Thoughtful and though-provoking, this impressive compendium
of diverse vegan-friendly recipes is especially recommended as a timely and welcome addition to
personal, professional, family, and community library cookbook collections.

We live in an age where increasing percentages of the population have allergies to different kinds
and categories of food. Always serious, often these food allergies can become life-threatening.
That's why food allergy expert Kelly Rudnicki's "The Food Allergy Mama's Baking Book: Great
Dairy-, Egg-, and Nut-Free Treats for the Whole Family" will prove to be a true culinary blessing
for those with family members or friends having common allergies to dairy products, eggs, or
nuts. Those allergies won't interfere with their ability to enjoy such wonderful baked treats as
Blueberry Bran Muffins; Chocolate Chip Cookies; Classic Yellow Birthday Cake; Summer
Blueberry Pie; Dairy-Free Chocolate Shake; and Chocolate-Soy Nut butter Candies! Colorfully
illustrated throughout and thoroughly 'kitchen cook friendly', "The Food Allergy Mama's Baking
Book" is especially recommended for personal, family and community cookbook collections for
those have (or must prepare meals for those who have) allergies to dairy, eggs, or nuts.

In every human culture from around the world there is a part of the local cuisine that utilizes the
flavors and nutritional values of uncooked fruits, vegetables, and even some meats in dishes that
please even the most gourmet of palates and satisfy even the most demanding of appetites. Now
chef, restaurateur, caterer, and food writer Matthew Kenney has compiled an impressive number
of raw food recipes draw from a number of diverse ethnic cultures and regional culinary
traditions to create "Entertaining In The Raw", offering 'kitchen cook friendly' raw food dishes
that include appetizers, tapas, main dishes, breads, sauces, and memorable desserts. From Beet
Ravioli with Fava Bean Puree and Green Herb Oil; Lipstick Sweet Pepper and Basil Wrappers
with Marinated Greens, Truffle Cream, and Marcona Almond Paste; Oyster Mushrooms and
Hijiki Caviar with Leek and Brazil Nut Truffle Foam; and Avocado Tartare with
Tamarind-Glazed Cherry Tomatoes, Black Sesame Pappadam, and Curry Froth; to Summer
Squash Pancakes with Garlic Flower "Yogurt", Sweet Tomato Jam, and Crisp Fennel; Tacos de
Tomates al Sol Con Crema Citric (Tomato Tacos with Citrus Cream); and Tricolor
Sesame-Cashew Dumplings and Sweet Chile-Lime Sauce, "Entertaining In The Raw" presents
wonderfully illustrated culinary dishes that will showcase any and all dining occasions from
simple family meals to elegant celebrations, making it an ideal addition to personal, family,
professional, and community library cookbook collections.

One of the frustrations facing any weight conscious, dessert desiring, kitchen cook is where to
find good recipes for terrific dishes that won't add on the pounds yet still serve to please even the
most gourmet of palates. That's where Kumiko Ibaraki has drawn upon her years of experience
and expertise as a chef, nurse, and nutrition counselor in "The Worry-Free Bakery: Treats
Without Oil And Butter", to compile forty-five distinctively easy-to-prepare desserts fit for any
and all dining occasions. The impressively diverse recipes range from Apple Muffins; No-Fry
Donuts; Cream Sandwich Cookies; and Pumpkin Cheesecake Souffle; to Chocolate Brownies;
Cheese and Pineapple Tart; Sweet Potato and Rum Raisin Ice Cream; and Mango Frozen Yogurt.
Of special note is the section providing step-by-step instructions on such basic baking techniques
as making meringue, whisking eggs, using the oven, removing a chiffon cake, making a cornet,
and substitutes for the oil and butter required in so many traditional dessert recipes. Truly living
up to its title, "The Worry-Free Bakery" is very highly recommended for personal, family, and
community library cookbook collections.

Simply stated, for today's busy, time-stressed homemaker, the invention of the microwave oven
is second only to that of fire. From heating up TV dinners to turning out in a matter of minutes
dishes from scratch that would take an hour or longer in a conventional oven, the microwave has
earned a prominent place in every modern kitchen. But until now the application of the
microwave to desserts and snacks has been fairly limited to heating up some store-bought treat.
No more! Not with Stacey Miller's handy little compilation of make-your-own microwave treats
she has collected within the covers of "101 Recipes for Microwave Mug Cakes: Single-Serving
Snacks in Less Than 10 Minutes"! Now moms who just don't have the time for traditionally
baked cookies, cakes, muffins, or other baked pastries, can choose from 'kitchen cook friendly'
microwave recipes ranging from Apple Raisin Microwave Mug Cake; Chocolate-Covered Peanut
Microwave Cake; Berry Patch Microwave Mug Cake; and Cranberry Lemon Microwave Mug
Cake; to Peach Butterscotch Microwave Mug Cake; Pumpkin Pie Microwave Mug Cake;
Strawberry Cheesecake Microwave Mug Cake; and Watermelon Ginger Microwave Mug Cake.
Particularly nice is the succinct one-paragraph descriptive 'Note' accompanying each individual
recipe. Unique and very special, "101 Recipes for Microwave Mug Cakes: Single-Serving Snacks
in Less Than 10 Minutes" will prove a popular addition to any and all personal and family
kitchen cookbook collections!

We've all seen and tasted them. Bite-sized raw fish creations brought to American palates from
Asian culinary traditions. Now there is a compendium of recipes and instructions to enable even
the most novice kitchen cook in turning out delectable, nutritious, palate pleasing and appetite
satisfying sushi dishes suitable for even the most elegant of dining occasions. Compiled and
written by professional caterer Aya Imatani (who draws her expertise from her own family's
traditions (her father owned a sushi bar in Kobe, Japan), "Sushi: The Beginner's Guide"
showcases more than fifty beautifully illustrated step-by-step sushi recipes from a distinctively
Japanese cuisine that ranges from Magurotaku Saimaki (Tuna and Pickled Radish); to Saishoku
Saimaki (Mixed Vegetables); to Unagi Kabayaki Nigiri (Steamed and Teriyaki-Broiled Eel); to
Tamago Nigiri (Japanese Omelette). Of special note is the presentation of basic information
ranging from the tools used in making sushi dishes, to the Japanese pantry, to making pickled
ginger, to the uses of wasabi, to choosing a whole fish. Covering sauces, sushi rice, and
all-vegetarian sushi dishes, "Sushi: The Beginner's Guide" is an ideal and enthusiastically
recommended addition to personal, professional, and community library cookbook
collections.

Far too much of the typical adolescent diet is composed of fast foods, sugar drinks, and a paucity
of fresh fruits and veggies. That's why "Eat Fresh Food: Awesome Recipes For Teen Chefs" from
award-winning chef, restauranteur, and cookbook author Rozanne Gold is such a welcome
contribution to personal and family cookbook collections. Superbly illustrated throughout with
full color photography by Phil Mansfield, "Eat Fresh Food" is specifically designed and intended
to provide teenagers with nutritious, palate pleasing, appetite satisfying, 'teen friendly' recipes
that range from a Grape-and-Pignoli Breakfast Cake; to a Chickpea Burger with Fresh Mango
Salsa; to a Crunchy Wasabi-Lime Salmon with Red Cabbage and Sugar Snaps; to a
mouth-watering dessert like Olive Oil-Chocolate Chip Cookies! "Eat Fresh Food" is ideal for
young kitchen cooks, but upon reflection, it is also a prime choice for another culinary
demographic -- men who have never been trained or previously expected to cook for themselves,
friends or family, and now find they need to.

A New Zealand culinary invention that became enormously popular throughout Australia,
Pavlova is a large meringue dessert cake named after Anna Pavlova, the accomplished and
internationally renowned ballerina. In "The Pavlova Story: A Slice Of New Zealand's Culinary
History" by Helen Leach (Professor of Anthropology at the University of Otago) begins with the
ballerina's visit to the Antipodes and adds a great deal of previously obscure or unknown
information including the emergence of three different pavlovas, the contributions of a gelatine
manufacturer, a Dunedin spinster, a bevy of housewives, and other New Zealand influences that
created and transformed a fashionable afternoon tea cake into a truly iconic and generations
spanning dessert. Enhanced with occasional illustrations by photographer Mary Brown, and
featuring classic pavlova recipes, "The Pavlova Story" is a superbly written, informed and
informative, making it highly recommended reading for anyone with an interest in distinctive
regional and cultural culinary traditions in general, and the pavlova tea cake in particular.

The Gaming Shelf

Written by Scandinavian chess opening expert Jovanka Houska, Starting Out: The Scandinavian
is another of Everyman Chess' premier titles ideal for intermediate to expert chess players
seeking to hone their skills. Covering all the main lines, Starting Out: The Scandinavian uses an
abundance of sample games with diagrams to illustrate its points, techniques, and
recommendations. Starting Out: The Scandinavian is especially recommended for any chess
player who wants to try out the Scandinavian, or has to learn to defend against it! An excellent,
in-depth resource from cover to cover, featuring an "Index of Variations" for quick
reference.

'Brain Teasers' are those cerebral puzzles and problems that take mental acuity and concentration
to resolve and solve. They are also a great source of entertainment (and occasional frustration!).
In "The Little Black Book Of Brain Games", author Suzanne Beilerson has collected an
impressive variety of these little 'mental games' that include word-play, math-play, and logic-play
challenges. Of special note is that she has also included the answers and solutions in the back of
this little pocket sized compendium of pure fun that can be taken anywhere, anytime. "The Little
Black Book Of Brain Games" is especially recommended for those who enjoy a challenge and
see problem solving as a form of personal entertainment and an excellent way to pass the
time.

The newest addition to the Palladium Books role-play gaming library, "Mysteries Of Magic:
Book One: The Heart Of Magic" is the cooperative work of master game-makers Mark Hall and
Kevin Siembieda. This role-play compendium introduces the history, secrets, spells, familiars of
wizards. Of special note are the commentaries on how magic works, wizards and warlocks,
apprenticeships, guilds, spell books, and more. Packed from cover to cover with useful and
useable information to enjoy hours and hours of role-play gaming, and specifically designed to be
part of Palladium's 'Megaverse' adventure gaming system, "Mysteries Of Magic: Book One: The
Heart Of Magic" is 96-pages of information, ideas, and illustrations, making it a highly
recommended addition to any gamer's reference collection.

The Pets/Wildlife Shelf

Every major city has its zoo. Collections of animals both common and exotic, displayed for their
educational and recreational value to the general public. Some zoos are also involved in
environmental issues including the preservation of species. One of the country's premier zoos is
that of Saint Louis, Missouri, now celebrating its centennial anniversary. This complex and
popular zoo is fully showcased in "Animals Always: 100 Years At The Saint Louis Zoo" by St.
Louis journalist Mary Delach Leonard. An impressively informed and informative compilation of
anecdotal stories, beautiful photography both vintage and contemporary, fact-laden side bars, and
more, "Animals Always" is a celebration of this public funded, fully modern and modernized
animal zoo, complete with a River's Edge habitat, WildCare Institute, and behind-the-scenes
perspective that casual visitors are not ordinarily privy to. Simply stated, "Animal Always" is
highly recommended reading and would well serve as a template for the celebration of other
major zoos and animal sanctuaries elsewhere around the country.

The World History Shelf

Throughout recorded human history, the theme of warfare has been ubiquitous. The stories of
warriors, generals, battles, and the clash of city states, kingdoms, and empires have provided
inspiration, traditions, and cultural consequences that have shaped every generation. In "The
Immortals: History's Fighting Elites" by military historian Nigel Cawthorne, major battles and
epic clashes involving the most renowned and distinctive military forces are superbly showcased.
These include the Persian Immortals of Darius; the Spartans of King Leonidas, the Roman
Praetorian Guard, the Ninja, the Mongol Hordes, the Prussian Guard, the Stonewall Brigade, the
Gurkas, the Green Berets, the U.S. Navy Seals, and a great many others. Profusely illustrated
throughout, "The Immortals" is informed, informative, 'reader friendly', and highly recommended
for both academic and community library World History and Military History reference
collections and supplemental reading lists.

Kennedy and the Berlin Wall is a close study of the Berlin Wall crisis that occurred during the
presidency of John F. Kennedy. Drawing upon sources ranging from the author's own experience
as an American diplomat in Berlin at the time of the crisis to personal interviews, memoirs, and
documents from the former Soviet Union, East Germany, and America, Kennedy and the Berlin
Wall reconstructs precisely what happened with a focus on two principal individuals - Kennedy
and the Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev. Khrushchev's dismissive impression of Kennedy as a
"boy in short pants" was openly manifested in the form of intimidation during the Vienna
Summit in 1961. Kennedy was deeply concerned about the very real threat of nuclear conflict,
and came to the conclusion that the Berlin Wall was "a hell of a lot better than a war." Twenty
years after the fall of the Berlin Wall, the events shaping its creation have strong historical
lessons to impart to posterity - making Kennedy and the Berlin Wall a worthy addition to both
public and college library history shelves.

Richard L. Kagan (Professor of History, Johns Hopkins University) presents Clio & the Crown:
The Politics of History in Medieval and Early Modern Spain, a close study of the official,
commissioned histories of Spanish monarchies from the medieval era to the middle of the 18th
century. From histories that focused primarily upon the monarch, to histories that studies the
entire Spanish kingdom, to histories that exalted Spain's conquest of the New World, Clio & the
Crown examines not only how the histories themselves changed, but also the lives of court
chroniclers and the political workings that affected the censorship of official histories. Spanish
monarchs sometimes went so far as to physically intimidate historians, destroy manuscripts and
books, rewrite histories, or restrict history writing to authorized individuals only, seeking to
consolidate power through control of knowledge. A solid guide to better understanding
centuries-old secondary historical sources, Clio & the Crown is an invaluable addition to Spanish
history and college library shelves. Highly recommended.

The Antiques/Collectibles Shelf

The value of any given antique or collectible is entirely dependent upon the economic force of
supply and demand. Now in its 28th edition, "Schroeder's Antiques Price Guide", the 2010
edition of an annually published collector's guide, remains an indispensable price guide and
reference for buyers, sellers, and collectors in establishing a frame of general and reliable
reference. Profusely illustrated in full color, "Schroeder's Antiques Price Guide" is a 607-page
reference that provides the novice collector with a 'Listing of Standard Abbreviations' that makes
using this encyclopedic and alphabetically organized compendium thoroughly 'user friendly' and
highly recommended. Simply stated, "Schroeder's Antiques Price Guide" is an essential and core
price guide reference for all manner of antiques and collectibles for both amateurs and
professionals alike.

The Needlecraft Shelf

Drawing upon his years of experience in which his work has been acclaimed by American
fashion designers and commissioned by the British Monarch, his newest needlecraft publication,
"Kaffe Fassett's Quilt Romance: 20 Designs from Rowan for Patchwork and Quilting" continues
to document him as one of the premier authorities on quilting today. The theme is presenting
twenty new quilts that give homage to past quilting traditions with beautifully designed quilts
showcased in display against colorful backgrounds of an Italian-style architecture found within a
small Welsh village. Enhanced throughout with the beautiful full-color photography of Debbie
Patterson, "Kaffe Fassett's Quilt Romance" offers 'quilter friendly' step-by-step instructions for
each quilting project, and is therefore an elegant and enthusiastically recommended addition to
personal and community library Needlecraft instructional reference collections.

The Martial Arts Shelf

Okinawa is home to an impressive martial arts legacy. In a martial arts context, the term 'hojo
undo' means 'supplemental training equipment', and refers to the aides and accessories that
martial artists use to build their strength, stamina, focus, speed, accuracy, and fighting techniques
associated with karate. In "The Art Of Hojo Undo: Power Training For Traditional Karate" by
Michael Clarke (Kyoshi 7th dan, Okinawan goju-ry), aspiring martial arts students will find
practical warm-up exercises, illustrated instructions for building their own exercise equipment,
and a whole lot more. With its thoroughly 'student friendly' and profusely illustrated text, "The
Art Of Hojo Uno" is a unique and strongly recommended addition to personal, professional,
academic, and community library Martial Arts reference collections and supplemental reading
lists.

The architectural firm of NBBJ specializes in providing companies and organizations in both the
private and public sectors with plans and designs for creating distinctive, artistic, and
needs-based buildings for their corporate endeavors. Now in an updated and expanded second
edition, "Change Design: Conversations About Architecture As The Ultimate Business Tool",
from NBBJ is an informed and informative compilaton of essays, interviews, project case studies
illustrating and exemplifying how architectural building designs, both exterior and interior, can
transform a corporate image, operations, competitiveness, and staff work climate. Thoughtful and
thought-provoking, "Change Design" is especially recommended for architectural students and is
a core addition to professional and academic library Architectural Studies reference
collections.

The New Solar Home reveals just how greatly solar homes have evolved from the PV-covered
buildings of the 1980s. In the long run, a solar home can save one money, whether one lives in a
large city, a suburb, or a remote rural location. Filled with stunning, full-color photography of the
interiors and exteriors of solar homes, The New Solar Home is both a resource filled with
inspirational ideas and a practical guide to different types of solar-powered systems one can
incorporate into one's dwelling. A handy resource for anyone seeking to build a new home or
remodel their existing one, enthusiastically recommended especially in today's modern era of
rising fuel costs.

While most of us, at one time or another, have dreamed of having a home specifically designed
to our own specifications, life style preferences, and idealized imaginations, we haven't a clue
how to go about implementing our architectural aspirations. That's why "Creating Your Own
Architectural Style" by professional architect George D. Hopkins Jr. is such an invaluable
instructional reference on the subject of planning and designing a home from the ground up. Sage
advice and insightful commentary is provided ranging from choosing a central design concept, to
vetting and choosing an architect, selecting a structural engineer, and what to expect and
anticipate with respect to the construction process from beginning to end. Profusely illustrated
throughout, enhanced with samples and examples of interior layouts, synopsis of diverse
architectural styles, "Creating Your Own Architectural Style" is especially ideal for the
non-specialist general reader who is contemplating having their own home built to their own
specifications, needs, conceptual ideas, and budget limitations. Of special note is the inclusion of
a pictorial glossary of architectural terms. "Creating Your Own Architectural Style" is a superbly
presented and comprehensive reference that is highly recommended for personal, academic, and
community library Architectural Studies reference collections and supplemental reading
lists.

Consisting of a beautifully designed boxed set of four volumes, Imre Vallyon's "Heavens and
Hells of the Mind" is an inspired and inspiring, descriptively detailed, and thoroughly 'reader
friendly' analytical survey of the basic spiritual/religious concepts included in the teachings,
practices, rituals, and scriptures of Christianity, Yoga, Zen Buddism, Tantra, Sufism, and the
'Warrior School'. "Heavens and Hells of the Mind" presents an articulate, exhaustive, thoughtful,
and thought-provoking extended commentary on the contributions of meditation to obtaining a
state of 'higher consciousness'. Of special note is a 2100-word lexicon of 'Wisdom Language'. A
massive undertaking embodying an impressive degree of scholarship, "Heavens and Hells of the
Mind" is a seminal and highly recommended addition to personal, academic, and community
library Religion & Spirituality reference collections and study lists.

J. G. Ballard: Contemporary Critical Perspectives is an anthology of scholarly essays by learned
authors discussing the works of contemporary British author J. G. Ballard, perhaps best knwon
for "Empire of the Sun" and "Crash" (both of which received successful cinematic adaptations).
Critical perspectives of Ballard's novels, short stories, and journalistic writing discuss his form,
narrative style, and experimental ideas. The many themes prevalent in his work range from
shocking violence to driving economic forces and turning wheels of history. Ballard's writing
offers its own contributions to today's latest debates, particularly those involving politics and
terrorism in a post-9/11 world. An invaluable resource especially for college students and literary
scholars seeking to analyze and better understand Ballard's writing, J. G. Ballard: Contemporary
Critical Perspectives is a "must-have" for college libraries.

Every highschool English class will have some mention of the poetry of Henry Wadsworth
Longfellow (1807-1882). No college or university English major will not have a working
knowledge of one of America's 19th century icons of poetry. In "Public Poet, Private Man: Henry
Wadsworth Longfellow at 200", academician Christoph Irmscher (Indiana University -
Bloomington) in celebration of what would have been the poet's 200th anniversary, draws upon
original materials that are part of the Longfellow collections housed in Harvard's Houghton
Library, as well as source documents (including drawings and photographs) archived in the
Longfellow National Historic Site. The result is an impressively informed and informative
literary biography showcasing Longfellow and his accomplishments within the contexts of family
and friends. "Public Poet, Private Man" is a seminal contribution to the study of the poet in terms
of his life and work which is very strongly recommended for personal reading lists and academic
library reference collections.

The Nautical Shelf

The history of sailing ships is a history of great accomplishments and great tragedies. In
"Disasters at Sea: A Visual History of Infamous Shipwrecks", Liz Mechem takes full advantage
of Hammond's expert cartography to illustrate her informed and informative accounts of more
than sixty stories of catastrophes at sea that occurred because of nature's storms, piracy, mutiny,
and unexplained mysteries. From the disappearance of Kublai Khan's navy as they attempted the
invasion of Japan, to the shipwrecks of the Caribbean, "Disasters at Sea: A Visual History of
Infamous Shipwrecks" is a gripping read that is profusely illustrated throughout. Replete with
such 'infobits' as to why women were considered bad luck aboard a ship, to superstitions
prohibiting the carrying of a banana, to always boarding a ship with the right foot to avoid bad
luck, "Disasters at Sea: A Visual History of Infamous Shipwrecks" is very highly recommended
for school and community libraries in general, and the reading lists of anyone with an interest in
the history of seafaring.

The Economics Shelf

Economic trade is the life-blood of American commerce. A contributing factor to America's
prosperity and a key component to economic reverses is the state of the country's trade with other
nations. The newest addition to ABC-CLIO's 'Contemporary World Issues' series is "U.S. Trade
Issues: A Reference Handbook" by Alfred E. Eckes, Jr. (Ohio Eminent Research professor, Ohio
University, Athens) begins with an informative background and history to American trade, then
continues with an analytical survey of diverse problems and their negotiated solutions on issues
ranging from the environment to human rights, to safety and sovereignty. Broadening out to a
global framework, "U.S. Trade Issues: A Reference Handbook" addresses international
partnerships, the World Trade Organization, the European Union, and more. Enhanced with a
chronology and an impressive roster of biographical sketches of key men and women who have
shaped and influenced American and International trade; key documents (including President
Obama's trade agenda and policy priorities); a directory of trade organizations; an extensive
listing of books, periodicals, journals, newsletters, films, video recordings, databases and interest
resources germane to American trade issues; a glossary, and an index, "U.S. Trade Issues: A
Reference Handbook" is an essential and core addition to both school and community library
Economic reference collections, and is highly recommended for non-specialist general readers
with an interest in American trade in the modern global economy.

"Mortgages and Annuities: An Introduction" by mathematician Yuri K. Shestopaloff was
specifically written and designed for undergraduate students, their teachers, and financial
industry specialists needing a solid grounding in the mathematical foundations and computations
associated with the development, implementation, and interpretation of financial investment
instruments and their underlying formulas that are commonly associated with the purchase of
buildings and investments for retirement. Informed and informative, "Mortgages and Annuities:
An Introduction" is replete with numerical examples, exercises, and illustrative problems making it
especially appropriate as a curriculum textbook. Also very highly recommended for professional
and academic library reference collections is Yuri K. Shestopaloff's "Mortgages And Annuities:
Mathematical Foundations And Computational Algorithms" (9780980966770, $59.95).

The Psychology Shelf

A slender 192-page volume, "Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy" by Michelle G. Craske
(Department of Psychology and Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, UCLA)
informatively addresses this widely practiced form of therapy with respect to its history,
theoretical concepts and applications arising from discoveries with respect to classical and
instrumental conditioning. Focusing on behavioral and cognitive interventions dealing with
maladaptive and dysfunctional behaviors, as well as the promotion of adaptive and functional
attitudes affecting behavior, "Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy" the newest addition to the
American Psychological Association's outstanding 'Theories of Psychotherapy' series. Enhanced
with a glossary of key terms, a listing of suggested readings, references, and an index,
"Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy" is strongly recommended reading for students and practitioners,
and a core addition to academic library reference collections in Psychology & Psychiatry.

The Sports Shelf

The New York Yankees is perhaps America's most iconic professional baseball team. But with
respect to how they are perceived by the fans of other baseball teams, they are also quite likely
the most reviled. The reasons are more than just the outcome of simple regional rivalries, but also
arise from their relationship to New York City, corporate history, and New York Yankee fan
behavior towards the teams and fan base of their opponents. Of special note is the epilogue
'Yankee Love and the new Yankee Stadium'. Enhanced with the inclusion of extensive notes and
a comprehensive index, as informed and informative as it is thoughtful and thought-provoking,
"The Team America Loves to Hate: Why Baseball Fans Despise the New York Yankees" by
Charles R. Warner (Professor of Communications Studies, East Stroudsburg University of
Pennsylvania) is a compelling read, the product of considerable and impressive research, and
especially recommended to non-specialist general readers with an interest in professional
baseball in general, and the New York Yankees in particular.

Written by expert archaeologist Barry Hobson (who spent twelve seasons working at Pompeii,
among his other archaeological labors) Latrinae Et Foricae: Toilets in the Roman World quite
literally lives up to its title as an in-depth study of Roman toiletries - both single (latrinae) and
multi-seater (foricae) commodes that formed part of their advanced sanitation system. Though
toiletries all over the Roman Empire from Iberia to Syria, North Africa, and Hadrian's Wall are
covered, especial note is paid to Pompeii, where many toilets were preserved along with evidence
of how they changed over time. The historical discussion includes logical reasoning about
questions of privacy, sewage, and waste disposal in the area, as well as health and diseases
issues, even touching upon references to such matters in Latin literature and graffiti. An excellent
resource offering a solid glimpse into a little-discussed aspect of ancient Roman culture.

Biologist Ray S. Vizgirdas and former botanist and field biologist Edna M. Rey-Vizgirdas
present Wild Plants of the Sierra Nevada, an in-depth, species-by-species guide to wild plants
including black-and-white illustrations of each specimen. Each entry includes a text description
as well as the picture, a list of interesting facts (such as medicinal uses), and the plant's scientific
name. Overview sections, appendices, a glossary, and a list of recommended additional reading
round out this useful and informative field guide.

The Railroading Shelf

Allies of the Earth: Railroads and the Soul of Preservation challenges America to rethink why it
has all but abandoned its railroad systems for fuel-devouring automobiles and air travel - while
these other machines may be faster, their toll on the environment and fuel resources is also
higher. There are also less tangible boons to rail travel, such as the opportunity to look out the
train window, and the pleasure of absorbing the journey rather than simply hustling to the
destination. Surveying both American and European rail history, author Alfred Runte makes a
call for renewed interest in experiencing the beauty of the countryside, and restoration of the
railroads that America has foolishly disregarded for too long. A thoughtful and
thought-provoking account written from the soul, Allies of the Earth postulates some interesting
ideas about the role railroads could play in promoting national conservation and economic
sustainability.

The International Studies Shelf

Field Notes on Democracy: Listening to Grasshoppers is an anthology of essays in which author
Arundhati Roy (winner of the 2002 Lannan Foundation Cultural Freedom Prize) seeks to answer
the question "Is there life after democracy?" More specifically, she examines how Hindu
nationalism and neo-liberal economic reforms in India, which arose during the early 1990s, are
currently transforming India into a police state. From the deliberate and systematic
marginalization of religious and ethnic minorities, to the increased power of predatory
corporations that engineer the displacement of the poor on a gigantic scale, to the August 2008
uprising of the people of Kashmir against India's military occupation, to a scrutiny of the
November 2008 terrorist attacks in Mumbai, Field Notes on Democracy is sharply critical in its
exposure of the weaknesses and corruption in India's current model of government. A
thought-provoking read, Field Notes on Democracy warns against the abuses of wealth and
power in India's current governmental system, and the threat of impending disaster. Highly
recommended.

The Fantasy/SciFi Shelf

Appealing to readers of all ages, A Practical Guide to Vampires is an illustrated, fantastic guide
to these popular horror-movie monsters. Presenting the basics of vampire lore from anatomy
(apparently vampires have withered internal organs and small lungs whose sole purpose is to
provide air for speech, since they don't breathe) to basic physical and magical self-defense
against vampires, to proper etiquette when invited to a vampire banquet. A delightful treasure
trove of ideas, especially recommended not only for vampire fans, but also anyone interested in
creating vampire stories, or leading a role playing game involving vampires. Also a joy to page
through are previous books in the "Practical Guide" series, including "A Practical Guide to
Monsters" and "A Practical Guide to Dragons".

The Buddhist Studies Shelf

Buddhist practitioner and psychotherapist Rob Preece presents The Courage to Feel: Buddhist
Practices for Opening to Others, a guide to freeing oneself from what Preece refers to as
"self-preoccupation" - the tendency to have one's actions strictly controlled by a narrow focus
characterized by insecurity and isolation. Learning to disengage from this harmful and limited
mentality frees one to enjoy a happier, more relaxed mind-set and engage more fully in positive
relationships. The Courage to Feel presents both traditional Buddhist meditations and practices
for awakening the mind such as tonglen, and also a Jungian perspective that suggests how
Westerners may need to re-evaluate how they can benefit the most from these activities. An
invaluable blend of the wisdom, helpful insights, and self-improvement practices of East and
West, highly recommended.

The Science Shelf

Illustrated with diagrams and black-and-white and color photographs throughout, Roadside
Geology of Minnesota is a user-friendly guide to the striking geological sights available to
Minnesota residents and tourists. From the Morton Gneiss (once believed to be the oldest rock on
Earth), to the St. Peter Sandstone (one of the purest sandstones in the world) to the shorelines of
Glacial Lake Agassiz (one of the largest glacial lakes known to have existed in North America),
Roadside Geology of Minnesota covers a broad variety of sites and formations, giving a detailed
yet highly accessible natural history of each. Amateur geologists and armchair travelers as well as
Minnesota visitors are sure to enjoy this delightful tour of Minnesota's geological wonders. Also
highly recommended are the many other volumes in the "Roadside Geology" series.

The Civil War Shelf

Before the Civil War, Sterling Price served in the Missouri State Guard. When America divided,
Price was conditionally for the Union - he felt that the Union should not suppress the rights of
individual states. Though he was a military leader for the South in the Civil War, he was not fully
trusted by Missouri Governor Claiborne Jackson, Lieutenant Governor Thomas C. Reynolds, or
Jefferson Davis, the President of the Confederate States of America. Price shared the hardships
of war with his men, and fought with them in the battles of Wilson's Creek, Lexington, and Pea
Ridge. Yet his autumn 1864 raid into Missouri failed to bring Missouri into the Confederacy,
earning him Reynold's personal scorn. In 1867, Reynolds began to write his version of the war's
events involving General Sterling Price; Reynolds' manuscript was never completed. General
Sterling Price and the Confederacy presents this unfinished manuscript for public perusal for the
first time. A treasure trove of firsthand information about Sterling Price (even if the author is
understandably biased), and a glimpse into the workings of the Confederate government, General
Sterling Price and the Confederacy is aptly clarified with notes by historian Robert G. Schultz,
and is a welcome addition to Civil War reference shelves with a focus on primary
testimonies.

Wisconsin, due to its cultural and agricultural dairy farm legacy, was justifiably world famous for
the quality and variety of its cheeses. Indeed, the making of cheese was a specialty brought over
from Europe by immigrant settlers beginning in the 1850s, and continues to persist as an
important economic contribution to Wisconsin's economic well-being. Profusely illustrated
throughout, "The Master Cheesemakers of Wisconsin" is the collaborative project of James
Norton and Becca Dilley who extensively interviewed dairymen, surveying the cheese plants that
employ them, and profile forty three acknowledged Master Cheesemakers of Wisconsin.
Enhanced with the inclusion of a glossary of cheesemaking terms, cheese factory touring
opportunities, tasting notes, and suggested food pairings, "The Master Cheesemakers of
Wisconsin" is an absolutely recommended addition to community library "Wisconsin History"
reference collections, as well as the personal reading lists of anyone who has ever enjoyed the
variety and quality of Wisconsin cheese.

Comics and their ilk have had their place in the history of Wisconsin. "Comics in Wisconsin" is
author of comics and comic enthusiast Paul Buhle offering his own insights on comics of all sorts
as a tool for social change throughout Wisconsin's history. Drawing on work from many artists,
there is much in the way of black and white reproductions throughout. "Comics in Wisconsin" is
a must for anyone who wants to see the value in this wasted hobby on the minds of
Wisconsinites.

Steam & Cinders: The Advent of Railroads in Wisconsin is an extraordinary cultural history of
the rise of railroads in early Wisconsin, from the first appearances of steam engines in developing
Wisconsin communities to the railroad boom of 1855-1857, the bribery, corruption and political
intrigue that accompanied the advent of railroads, the economic depression of 1858-1861 that
bankrupted all Wisconsin railroads, their subsequent recovery, and more. A scattering of vintage
black-and-white photographs illustrates this thoughtful account, sure to provide a wealth
enjoyment for railroad lovers and Wisconsin history buffs alike. Highly recommended.

North Woods River: The St. Croix River in Upper Midwest History is a natural and historical
biography of the St. Croix River and its valley, over the past three hundred years. Following the
interplay of human settlement and the river's environment, while drawing lessons about how to
most effectively conserve and manage wild waters (which so easily fall victim to pollution),
North Woods River is an eminently accessible text that both lay readers and scholars will enjoy.
A handful of black-and-white photographs and diagrams illustrate this excellent addition to
American history shelves.